Book Review: Judgment Fire

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Judgment Fire     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Marilyn Meredith
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Native American
Series: Tempe Crabtree Mystery
Mundania Press, 2007, 139 pps.

A woman is murdered and her house set on fire. Tempe Crabtree, deputy of Bear Creek, is very familiar with the family. She has been called to the home on domestic violence calls. Tom Cannata is a building contractor. His wife Jackie went to the same school as Tempe. Jackie’s son Ronnie had gone to school with Tempe’s son Blair until Ronnie decided to quit school. Tom is known to have a violent temper and is currently in a big argument with his neighbor over a pond he had filled on his property.

Although Tempe attended the same school as Jackie she didn’t run with the same group. Tempe is of Native American heritage and although not full blooded she received a lot of ridicule while attending school. Tempe is just beginning to learn more about the spiritual side of her heritage through friends such as Dorethea Nightwalker, a local shaman.

A fire breaks out in Jackie’s home and Jackie is found dead in her bed from a gunshot wound. Both Tom and Ronnie are suspects but Tempe feels that Ronnie is innocent although she has no real grounds for this feeling.

Dorethea warns Tempe that she feels Tempe is in danger and when Tempe begins receiving threatening messages she knows that Dorethea’s feelings are correct.

Tempe Crabtree is a wonderful character. Her husband is a minister and is just beginning to believe that his beliefs and those of the Native Americans are not too far apart. Tempe’s son Blair wants to be a fireman and gets a little experience in Judgment Fire. I’ve enjoyed the Tempe Crabtree books which are set in Bear Creek, a small mountain community in the southern Sierra. The characters seem real and the location is great.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM